Old motel could be converted into assisted-living facility

Also, Love's travel plaza proposed near new U.S. 24 in Woodburn

Conversion of an aging east-side motel into an assisted living facility is just one of several proposals to be considered by city and county planners next month.

Louis Lengacher of Woodburn has asked the Fort Wayne Plan Commissioner to rezone the 3.1 acres at 3730 E. Washington Blvd. that is the current site of the Hallmark Inn. The motel, which was previously a Days Inn, was originally a Holiday Inn and was built after construction of the U.S. 30 bypass in the 1950s. Lengacher was unavailable for comment.

The Allen County Plan Commission, meanwhile, will consider a proposal from Okalahoma-based Love's Travel Stops to locate a truck stop and McDonald's restaurant on about 31 acres at 6117 Fahlsing Road in Woodburn, near the recently opened new U.S. 24. The land is currently zoned for agricultural use.

Love's, founded in 1964, is a family-owned business with more than 290 stores in 39 states, more than 10,000 employees and annual revenues of more than $17 billion.

Meanwhile, discount grocer Aldi has filed plans to open a 17,018-square-foot store on 4.2 acres at 6309 W. Jefferson Blvd. Aldi operates more than 1,200 stores in 32 states, serving more than 25 million customers each month.

Also, Grabill Partners of Liberty, Ind., is seeking permission to build a Dollar General store on 1.4 acres at an address to be determined. Property ownership is listed as 13350 W. State St. in Grabill, however.